St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-12-04
HAL REID IS GUILTY.
So Says the Jury in the Case
Brought by Miss Maud
Compston.
The Young Man Receives the
Verdict Calmly but Weeps
in the Jail.
Attorneys for the Defendant
Have Little to Say--ANew
Trial Probable.
Evidence Taken Yesterday
The Summing UP Some
what Interesting.

"Guiltyr' That was the verdict of
the twelve jurors in the Hal Reid rape
case. Anticipated only by the zeal and
hopefulneSs of Prosecuting Attorney
Mum, the verdict fell like sudden
shock upon the little audience present.
A slight paleness covered the face of
even Judge Kelly, as he received the
copy of the verdict from Clerk Jay
Davis. Hal Reid concealed his feelings.
There was not a change of color in his
face, not even a twitching of lip or
eyelid: not the slightest movement of
eyes. head, hands or body did he suffer
to betray whatever his feelings were.
He sat firm, with body erect, and eyes
riveted upon the clerk. If Reid was
acting, he acted well. But his father
poor. DR.. Reid! The man gave way,
and the tears of a child, without other
demonstration, caused his handkerchief
to seek his eyes.
The jury had been out since 6:20 p. m.
At 7:30 they had not agreed, but got
supper. At 8 p. m. they were
ready to report, but about
twenty minutes were occupied in
getting the prosecuting attorney and
the judge and clerk. In the court
room were Capt. Hart, DR.. Reid and
several lawyers impatiently awaiting
the result. The jury, which occupied
Judge Brill's room, knocked impa-
tiently at the door. Deputy Sheriff
went over to the Jail and soon appeared
with Jailer Peterson and Hal Reid.
Reid took his chair without any demon
stratiOn. 1t was hard to say
by his countenance whether he seemed
hopeful or not. His father and his de-
Tending lawyer, Capt. Hart, did at any
rate, land the lawyers present were unan-
imOusly of the opinion that the verdict
would be one of mot guilty." In a
little while Mr.. Mum appeared, and
soon Judge Kelly came, followed by
Clerk Davis. The jury walked in III In
dian file, Jacob Fairchild, the aged realty
speculatoI, and the foreman of the fury,
carrying the written verdict. 1t was as
SILENT AS THE GRAVE
for minute; then. in response to the
clerks call of the roll, each juror an
SWered to his name, and when the clerk
asked if they had agreed upon a YER
dict Mr.. Fairchild and several others
responded in firm tones, I'VE have
1t was noticeable, however, that this
response was not unanimous, and it was
not until the clerk had recorded their
true verdict that they responded
unanimously. Then Prosecuting At
tOrney Mum turned to Mr.. Holcombe,
brother lawyer. and whispered. with
| an air of eXultatiOn, Justice has tri-
umphed."
Mr.. Mum arose and asked the court
that the sentence be deferred until Mon
day. The father of Hal Reid buried his
face in his handkerchief as this request
was made, for the word sentence"
seemed to uncover before him his sons
miserable fate as a convicted fel0n be-
penal labor. Capt. Hart asked the court
TO defer sentence until some time later,
until, at least, a week from Monday.
This the court granted, and excused the
jury until that time.
Twill you try to get new trial or ap-
peal the case" GLOBE reporter asked
of Capt. Hart.
''Maybe we WILL" he replied, with a
rising infection that indicated great
deal more than his mere words con-
veyed.
Hal Reid acted like an automaton
when the court adjourned. He said
nothing. When the deputy sheriff
beckOned to him to go with Jailer Peter
son he went in mute obedience. His
father could't say or do anything. There
was only one hopeful man left-that
man was Capt Hart.
As far as he is concerned it is not the
end of the case. Both he and Mr..
O'Brien had been laying the foundation
for new trial in their numerous excep-
tions to the courts rulings all the time
the case was in progress. Reid was es-
cOrted to the Jail. Before the small
| gathering left the court room a juror
made bold enough to say that ''Reid
killed himself by going upon the witness
stand.'
The penalty for rape is not less than
| five Years nor more than thirty in the
state penitentiary.
REID REFUSES TO TALK.
Reid occupied cot in the north cor
ridor of the Jail last night. By the
kindness of Deputy Sheriff John Lunk-
| enheimer GLOBE reporter was-alloWed
to see him about il o'clock. Hal has
| taken tumble to himself now when it
| to talk at all. The prospect of
a term in the penitentiary in
| the near future has made him forget
| the STACEY affectatiOn he has main
| tanned so far, and his manners now in
dicate that he has a little common
| sense. He was weeping when called
upon last night, and it was no stage
weep, either. All his old pamposity
was gone. The verdict has humbled
him completely. When asked if he had
anything to say he replied: Nothing,
| except that | am innocent"
He turned over on his back and looked
up with his teeth tightly clenched, evi-
| IDENTITY making an extraordinary effort
| to keep his mouth shut. Question after
| question was propOunded, but his lips
remained closed. Il am thinking of
mother" ne said once. and he repeated
| this several times. He would not talk
| about the prospects for new trial, or
! whether an effort would be made to
procure one. 1t was new role for Hal
| to keep his mouth shut, but he did so
very effectually.
MIR. O'BRIEN ASTOEISHED.
The news of Hal Reid's conviction
reached C. ID. O'Brien, who was at the
| Irish-American club room, corner of
| Ninth and Minnesota streets, about 10
o'clock last evening. To say that he
was surprised will hardly express it.
| He was simply astOunded. II had the
fullest confidence" he said. ''that Reid
would be acquitted, as did also Reid
himself, as well as his father.
| can not understand what led
| the jury to reach such verdict. Reid
| prejudiced the case greatly, / fear, by
| his actions while on the stand.''
"Will you contend for new trial?''
| Mr.. 0'Brien was asked.
''Oh, most certainly" he said. ''but l
do not like to go through all this case
1 again.